<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
<!-- This document is an unofficial reference manual for LaTeX, a
document preparation system, version of October 2018.

This manual was originally translated from LATEX.HLP v1.0a in the
VMS Help Library.  The pre-translation version was written by
George D. Greenwade of Sam Houston State University.  The
LaTeX 2.09 version was written by Stephen Gilmore.  The
LaTeX2e version was adapted from this by Torsten Martinsen.  Karl
Berry made further updates and additions, and gratefully acknowledges
using Hypertext Help with LaTeX, by Sheldon Green, and
LaTeX Command Summary (for LaTeX 2.09) by
L. Botway and C. Biemesderfer (published by the TeX Users
Group as TeXniques number 10), as reference material.  We also
gratefully acknowledge additional material appearing in
latex2e-reference by Martin Herbert Dietze.  (From these references no
text was directly copied.)

Copyright 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Karl Berry.

Copyright 1988, 1994, 2007 Stephen Gilmore.

Copyright 1994, 1995, 1996 Torsten Martinsen.

Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
are preserved on all copies.


Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire
resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission
notice identical to this one.

Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions. -->
<!-- Created by GNU Texinfo 6.5, http://www.gnu.org/software/texinfo/ -->
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<title>Letters (LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual (October 2018))</title>

<meta name="description" content="Letters (LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual (October 2018))">
<meta name="keywords" content="Letters (LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual (October 2018))">
<meta name="resource-type" content="document">
<meta name="distribution" content="global">
<meta name="Generator" content="makeinfo">
<link href="latex2e_0.html#Top" rel="start" title="Top">
<link href="latex2e_30.html#Index" rel="index" title="Index">
<link href="latex2e_0.html#SEC_Contents" rel="contents" title="Table of Contents">
<link href="latex2e_0.html#Top" rel="up" title="Top">
<link href="latex2e_27.html#Terminal-input_002foutput" rel="next" title="Terminal input/output">
<link href="latex2e_25.html#g_t_005cgls" rel="prev" title="\gls">
<style type="text/css">
<!--
body {margin: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 1px}
a.anchor {float: right}
a:visited {color: #00e}
a:active {color: #000}
a.external {background: url('./images/external-link.png') no-repeat; background-position: right center; padding-right: 18px}
a.summary-letter {text-decoration: none}
blockquote.indentedblock {margin-right: 0em}
blockquote.smallindentedblock {margin-right: 0em; font-size: smaller}
blockquote.smallquotation {font-size: smaller}
div.display {margin-left: 3.2em}
div.example {margin-left: 3.2em}
div.lisp {margin-left: 3.2em}
div.smalldisplay {margin-left: 3.2em}
div.smallexample {margin-left: 3.2em}
div.smalllisp {margin-left: 3.2em}
kbd {font-style: oblique}
pre.display {font-family: inherit}
pre.format {font-family: inherit}
pre.menu-comment {font-family: serif}
pre.menu-preformatted {font-family: serif}
pre.smalldisplay {font-family: inherit; font-size: smaller}
pre.smallexample {font-size: smaller}
pre.smallformat {font-family: inherit; font-size: smaller}
pre.smalllisp {font-size: smaller}
span.nolinebreak {white-space: nowrap}
span.roman {font-family: initial; font-weight: normal}
span.sansserif {font-family: sans-serif; font-weight: normal}
ul.no-bullet {list-style: none}
-->
</style>


</head>

<body id="top" lang="en">
<a name="Letters" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="Letters-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h2 class="chapter">Letters</h2>

<a name="index-letters_002c-writing" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-writing-letters" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis: 
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\documentclass{letter}
\address{<var>senders address</var>}   % return address
\signature{<var>sender name</var>}
\begin{document}
\begin{letter}{<var>recipient address</var>}
\opening{<var>salutation</var>}
  <var>letter body</var>
\closing{<var>closing text</var>}
\end{letter}
   ...
\end{document}
</pre></div>

<p>Produce one or more letters.  
</p>
<p>Each letter is in a separate <code>letter</code> environment, whose argument
<var>recipient address</var> often contains multiple lines separated with a
double backslash,&nbsp;(<code>\\</code>).  For example, you might have:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example"> \begin{letter}{Ninon de l'Enclos \\
                l'h\^otel Sagonne}
   ...
 \end{letter}
</pre></div>

<p>The start of the <code>letter</code> environment resets the page number to 1,
and the footnote number to 1 also.
</p>
<p>The <var>sender address</var> and <var>sender name</var> are common to all of the
letters, whether there is one or more, so these are best put in the
preamble.  As with the recipient address, often <var>sender address</var>
contains multiple lines separated by a double
backslash&nbsp;(<code>\\</code>).  LaTeX will put the <var>sender name</var>
under the closing, after a vertical space for the traditional
hand-written signature.
</p>
<p>Each <code>letter</code> environment body begins with a required
<code>\opening</code> command such as <code>\opening{Dear Madam or Sir:}</code>.
The <var>letter body</var> text is ordinary LaTeX so it can contain
everything from enumerated lists to displayed math, except that commands
such as <code>\chapter</code> that make no sense in a letter are turned off.
Each <code>letter</code> environment body typically ends with a
<code>\closing</code> command such as <code>\closing{Yours,}</code>.
</p>
<a name="index-_005c_005c-for-letters" class="anchor"></a>
<p>Additional material may come after the <code>\closing</code>.  You can say who
is receiving a copy of the letter with a command like <code>\cc{the
Boss \\ the Boss's Boss}</code>.  There&rsquo;s a similar <code>\encl</code> command for
a list of enclosures.  And, you can add a postscript with <code>\ps</code>.
</p>
<p>LaTeX&rsquo;s default is to indent the sender name and the closing above it
by a length of <code>\longindentation</code>.  By default this is
<code>0.5\textwidth</code>. To make them flush left, put
<code>\setlength{\longindentation}{0em}</code> in your preamble.
</p>
<p>To set a fixed date use something like
<code>\renewcommand{\today}{1958-Oct-12}</code>.  If put in your preamble
then it will apply to all the letters.
</p>
<p>This example shows only one <code>letter</code> environment.  The three lines
marked as optional are typically omitted.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\documentclass{letter}
\address{Sender's street \\ Sender's town}
\signature{Sender's name \\ Sender's title}
% optional: \location{Mailbox 13}
% optional: \telephone{(102) 555-0101}
\begin{document}
\begin{letter}{Recipient's name \\ Recipient's address}
\opening{Sir:}
% optional: \thispagestyle{firstpage}
I am not interested in entering a business arrangement with you.
\closing{Your most humble, etc.,}
\end{letter}
\end{document}
</pre></div>

<p>These commands are used with the <code>letter</code> class.
</p>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005caddress" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005caddress-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\address</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005caddress" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis: 
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\address{<var>senders address</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>Specify the return address, as it appears on the letter and on the
envelope.  Separate multiple lines in <var>senders address</var> with a
double backslash,&nbsp;<code>\\</code>.
</p>
<p>Because it can apply to multiple letters this declaration is often put
in the preamble.  However, it can go anywhere, including inside an
individual <code>letter</code> environment.
</p>
<p>This command is optional: if you do not use it then the letter is
formatted with some blank space on top, for copying onto pre-printed
letterhead paper.  If you do use the <code>\address</code> declaration then it
is formatted as a personal letter.
</p>
<p>Here is an example.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\address{Stephen Maturin \\
         The Grapes of the Savoy}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005ccc" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005ccc-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\cc</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005ccc" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-cc-list_002c-in-letters" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\cc{<var>name0</var> \\ 
     ... }
</pre></div>

<p>Produce a list of names to which copies of the letter were sent.  This
command is optional.  If it appears then typically it comes after
<code>\closing</code>.  Put the names on different lines by separating them
with a double backslash, <code>\\</code>, as in:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\cc{President \\
    Vice President}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005cclosing" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005cclosing-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\closing</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005cclosing" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-letters_002c-ending" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-closing-letters" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\closing{<var>text</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>Produce the letter&rsquo;s closing.  This is optional, but usual.  It appears
at the end of a letter, above a handwritten signature.  For example:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\closing{Regards,}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005cencl" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005cencl-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\encl</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005cencl" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-enclosure-list" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\encl{<var>first enclosed object</var> \\ 
       ... }
</pre></div>

<p>Produce a list of things included with the letter. This command is
optional; when it is used, it typically is put after <code>\closing</code>.
Separate multiple lines with a double backslash, <code>\\</code>.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\encl{License \\
      Passport}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005clocation" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005clocation-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\location</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005clocation" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\location{<var>text</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>The <var>text</var> appears centered at the bottom of the page.  It only
appears if the page style is <code>firstpage</code>.
</p>

<hr>
<a name="g_t_005cmakelabels" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005cmakelabels-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\makelabels</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005cmakelabels" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\makelabels   % in preamble
</pre></div>

<p>Optional, for a document that contains <code>letter</code> environments.  If
you just put <code>\makelabels</code> in the preamble then at the end of the
document you will get a sheet with labels for all the recipients, one
for each letter environment, that you can copy to a sheet of peel-off
address labels.
</p>
<p>Customize the labels by redefining the commands <code>\startlabels</code>,
<code>\mlabel</code>, and <code>\returnaddress</code> (and perhaps <code>\name</code>) in
the preamble.  The command <code>\startlabels</code> sets the width, height,
number of columns, etc., of the page onto which the labels are printed.
The command <code>\mlabel{<var>return address</var>}{<var>recipient
address</var>}</code> produces the two labels (or one, if you choose to ignore the
<var>return address</var>) for each letter environment. The first argument,
<var>return address</var>, is the value returned by the macro
<code>\returnaddress</code>.  The second argument, <var>recipient address</var>, is
the value passed in the argument to the <code>letter</code> environment.  By
default <code>\mlabel</code> ignores the first argument, the <var>return
address</var>, causing the default behavior described in the prior paragraph.
</p>
<p>This illustrates customization.  Its output includes a page with two
columns having two labels each.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\documentclass{letter}
\renewcommand*{\returnaddress}{Fred McGuilicuddy \\
                               Oshkosh, Mineola 12305}
\newcommand*\originalMlabel{}
\let\originalMlabel\mlabel
\def\mlabel#1#2{\originalMlabel{}{#1}\originalMlabel{}{#2}}
\makelabels
  ...
\begin{document}
\begin{letter}{A Einstein \\
               112 Mercer Street \\
               Princeton, New Jersey, USA 08540}
  ...
\end{letter}
\begin{letter}{K G\&quot;odel \\
               145 Linden Lane \\
               Princeton, New Jersey, USA 08540}
  ...
\end{letter}
\end{document}
</pre></div>

<p>The first column contains the return address twice.  The second column
contains the address for each recipient.
</p>
<a name="index-package_002c-envlab" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-envlab-package" class="anchor"></a>

<p>The package <code>envlab</code> makes formatting the labels easier, with
standard sizes already provided.  The preamble lines
<code>\usepackage[personalenvelope]{envlab}</code> and <code>\makelabels</code>
are all that you need to print envelopes.
</p>

<hr>
<a name="g_t_005cname" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005cname-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\name</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005cname" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\name{<var>name</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>Optional.  Sender&rsquo;s name, used for printing on the envelope together
with the return address.
</p>

<hr>
<a name="g_t_005copening" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005copening-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\opening</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005copening" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-letters_002c-starting" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\opening{<var>salutation</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>Required.  Follows the <code>\begin{letter}{...}</code>. The argument
<var>salutation</var> is mandatory.  For instance:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\opening{Dear John:}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005cps" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005cps-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\ps</code></h3>
<a name="index-_005cps" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="index-postscript_002c-in-letters" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\ps{<var>text</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>Add a postscript.  This command is optional and usually is used after
<code>\closing</code>.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\ps{P.S. After you have read this letter, burn it. Or eat it.}
</pre></div>


<hr>
<a name="g_t_005csignature" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005csignature-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\signature</code></h3>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\signature{<var>first line</var> \\
            ... }
</pre></div>

<a name="index-_005csignature" class="anchor"></a>

<p>The sender&rsquo;s name.  This command is optional, although its inclusion is
usual.
</p>
<p>The argument text appears at the end of the letter, after the closing.
LaTeX leaves some vertical space for a handwritten
signature. Separate multiple lines with a double
backslash,&nbsp;<code>\\</code>.  For example:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\signature{J Fred Muggs \\
           White House}
</pre></div>

<p>LaTeX&rsquo;s default for the vertical space from the <code>\closing</code> text
down to the <code>\signature</code> text is <code>6\medskipamount</code>, which is
six times <code>\medskipamount</code> (where <code>\medskipamount</code> is equal to
a <code>\parskip</code>, which in turn is defined by default here to
0.7em).
</p>
<p>This command is usually in the preamble, to apply to all the letters in
the document.  To have it apply to one letter only, put it inside a
<code>letter</code> environment and before the <code>\closing</code>.
</p>
<p>You can include a graphic in the signature as here.
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\signature{\vspace{-6\medskipamount}\includegraphics{sig.png}\\
             My name}
</pre></div>

<p>For this you must put <code>\usepackage{graphicx}</code> in the preamble
(see <a href="latex2e_22.html#Graphics">Graphics</a>).
</p>




<hr>
<a name="g_t_005ctelephone" class="anchor"></a>
<a name="g_t_005ctelephone-1" class="anchor"></a>
<h3 class="section"><code>\telephone</code></h3>

<a name="index-_005ctelephone" class="anchor"></a>

<p>Synopsis:
</p>
<div class="example">
<pre class="example">\telephone{<var>number</var>}
</pre></div>

<p>The sender&rsquo;s telephone number.  This is typically in the preamble, where
it applies to all letters.  This only appears if the <code>firstpage</code>
pagestyle is selected.  If so, it appears on the lower right of the
page.
</p>




</body>
</html>
